Television.........................Bah!

      Well it all came about through an artist friend, I was in the process of purchasing a couple of works by himself, of a Lakeland theme and it transpired that he was familiar with someone at a BBC production company, which specialized in antique works of art. Basically this meant they would come along to your house, film your private collection, conduct an interview and turn it all into a television programme, all well and good. Yet if you see it another way, they are showing thieves what to steal and at which location. In the end I had to decline the invitation to appear in such a production.

      About the same time, I'd put myself forward to advise another production company, from Channel 4, who produced a programme, which identified and filmed private houses of importance and interest.

      They had decided upon an historic building in Ambleside, at which over the years was somewhat familiar to me. For my part, I was asked to produced several obscure books and maps and also put the production company in touch with various people, who had historical knowledge of the structure.

      Regrettably, very little came out of all this, yet for a couple of wonderful days, I had a number of telephone calls, at my place of work, with people running around in excitement, to tell me; "The BBC/Channel 4 are trying to get in touch with you." Priceless!   

Summer...........At Last

      A nice hot summers day at last, what else can I do but gather up shorts, straw hat, assorted wind breaks, and equally inclined friends and head to that Marbella of the north, Haverigg.

      If Lakeland could have a beach resort, surely it would be Haverigg, of course it's not really in the Lakes, unless you're from the tourist board, then it becomes "Lakeland Peninsula" or "Western Lake District"
      Haverigg is about a mile south of Millom, has a seaside feel and appearance, sand in the streets, as you might expect, there is also a caravan site and a prison, luckily you can't see the prison. There is a pub in Haverigg, which serves good food and drink, although there is also a rather unique café, where Haverigg ends and the beach begins.

      This place is so very appealing, because you can get good food and drinks for very reasonable prices.

      Yet of course the reason why I've been coming here every year for many years, is that really top notch sandy beach. Yes you can walk in the sands, sunbathe, paddle, relax, picnic and so forth, though the real reason why we come here, is to build mighty sand cities. This time was no exception, with three others we brought some builder's spades and set about constructing a vast metropolis with walls, towers, castles, temples, pyramids, roads, houses, tunnels and even a sand helter-skelter. Then guess what? We defend it against the incoming tide.

      Wow, what a great day and now it's out of my system until the next time. We complete the day with fish and chips in Millom.

   

A Series of Short Walks llll

      Great plans for this day, though poor weather and low cloud predicted otherwise, even though better conditions would prevail.
      We were able to park at Coniston and set out upon the Public Footpath, near Coniston FC Which is a short path with a small incline and through some woodland, over to the National Trust depot, at High Waterhead. There are several pleasant views of the head of Coniston Water. From High Waterhead, there's a good path at the side of the road, which leads you into Tarn Hows Wood. Which is then a pleasant stroll up to Tarn Hows.

      We made the passage of the Tarn by keeping to the higher east side, near Rose Castle, then dropping down to the track, which takes you down to the bridleway, which in turn, leads onto the Coniston/Skelwith Bridge Road. Here we cut straight across to the Low Oxen Fell road, which leads over to Hodge Close, it's a steep road and after the farm, becomes a track, which leads down to the quarry.

      This is a good place to stop for your lunch, beware of deep troughs! Hodge Close, is a vast former quarry which has operated for hundreds, if not thousands of years and it always amazes me to think that at one time or another, every piece of slate has been looked at and handled for possibilities.
      Time to head off again and follow the slate track towards Little Langdale, yet turning left towards Tilberthwaite, on an unmarked track, just after the stream. Follow this track until you reach a farm, the track becomes a road once again and now it's a good easy walk, back to Coniston, on a well managed path, close to the road. 
      Although upon this day, the fells were clearing of cloud and we decided upon an alternative route.

      Through Tilberthwaite, just over the river and up a good slate staircase, to the right of the quarry and to the left of the river and falls, a good steep, yet short trek, which takes you out onto Coniston Moor. Now heading to the south, by a good solid path, which takes you over to Coppermines Valley. It's a fairly easy walk down to the road and then a stroll back to Coniston, to recover the car.

Bilbo's Cafe (now under new management) this review no longer applicable.

      Heaven's above, getting a half decent sandwich in Ambleside is the bane of my life, if it's not the contents then it's the bread, at one time it was so bad, I was prepared to buy a café, just so that I could be sure of getting a quality product. Then along came Nick's Sandwich Bar, and Ambleside was saved, though Nick has moved on to bigger projects, thank goodness we've got Bilbo's.

      Ok perhaps I may once have said it was a transport caf, for hill walkers and rock climbers, though I meant that in a nice way, as I've dined there upon numerous occasions and never been let down. It's always been wonderful and since they've moved the café downstairs, it can only get better, busier and more well known.

      It's not all bacon, egg and sausage, though it's what a lot of people want, where else can you get this sort of thing in Ambleside these days?

      Whenever I go there, by myself or in a group, I'm always made to feel really welcome and the girl's who run the place are that bit special. It's the sort of place you are always going to run into someone you know, in a very easy going friendly atmosphere. 

A Series os Short Walks lll

Something for a wet day

      I find it best to begin this walk from Low Wray, where there is parking for about five cars (keep quiet about this) This time it was on a damp day, with low cloud, when any thoughts of fell walking had to be put to one side, although there was the promise of some sunny intervals, the majority of the walk is beneath the trees. You know how it is in the Lakes, we don't have a climate, we just have weather.
      It's an easy road walk to High Wray, (short of parking) Then follow the track up to the location known as; Base Camp. Beyond Base Camp there is a footpath (unmarked) which takes you up onto Latterbarrow, it's always worth a visit, just for the panoramic views.
      We soon recover the track and follow the woodland route, signposted for Sawrey. You eventually come to Three Dubs Tarn, one large and two smaller, a good place to stop for a sandwich and a drink.
      It's now more or less downhill to Far Sawrey, home to Beatrix Potter at Hill Top.

      There's an Hotel and Bar, here if you should feel the need. It's mow a good steep hill down to Ferry House and the lake, though we head back to High Wray, along the track by the side of the lake. On this day, there was a strong wind in my face for the entire route, you will no doubt find it a lot easier. The track is recently converted, to form a cycle route, part of an ambitious long distance cycle way. Although we saw few riders, the surface is much improved to benefit walkers as well.

     At the end of the journey, it's easy to turn up to Low Wray and recover the car, but we decided to visit the castle, for an ice cream, as the place is now open to the public and the grounds have free access. There is also a terrific, not to be missed view of The Langdale Pikes, Dunmail and The Fairfield Horseshoe. Perhaps the castle was built in this location with the wonderful view in mind?